Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
I usually don't take on another person's post on this blog.
But this had been building inside me ever since I saw the quote C2toB took from a girls facebook status we both know:
"People who don't pray, inform, protest or care about what is happening in Gaza are complicite with the murder of innocent civilians."
I completely disagree.
In fact I think the more uncomfortable truth is that it is totally okay to not pray, inform, protest, or care about what is happening in Gaza.
Let's go back to the beginning.
We were all originally in a state of nature that we left when we entered into a contract to form civil society.
If you don't understand the previous sentence then please stop reading this post - there is nothing else that I can say that will change your mind from thinking I am just being a huge asshole.
Without going into a huge argument about what it means to be part of a civil society, and what exactly is the extent of the contract we make, lets just agree that there is some form of contract and we exist in some form of civil society.
The problem is that there is a limit to our civil society - namely you are only part of your own nation. And whereas there are many important moral arguments that can be made about individuals and their society; nation states are not individuals.
When nation states interact with each other - morality does not exist.
International relations, is, was, and always will be defined by power.
There is simply no other way.
So when another nation state attacks another nation state for the stregthening of its own people that it has a contract with to protect - no one save God can judge.
And the proper response should be looked at through the prism of how does this war effect American power, influence, and security in the region and at home.
However, do we have a moral obligation to care about the fact that people are dying in a war between two nation-states?
Absolutely not.
Now I will say that there is a difference between two civil societies figthing and a government that is breaking its contract to its people (genocide). In the latter case we do have a moral obligation to care because in this case they are weakening the bonds of civil society itself, which no nation can tolerate (or else we are all in danger of falling back into a state of nature).
However in the case of the former, in the case of a war between two nations, there is no such thing as an innocent civillain. You give up your right to be innocent when you enter your civil society. If you don't like your government you also have the right and responsibility to change it. But you have to bear the burden of your governments decision. It isn't fair but it is reality. (Which is why everyone should be outraged over the failings of the Bush administration, no matter if you supported or opposed Bush, we all have to deal with the consequences. Also this is why we should always do what we can to assist our own government no matter how we personally feel about its leaders. At the end of the day - people who hate America won't care how you voted ).
So, if you decided to watch the NFL playoffs, and you didn't pray, inform, protest, or care about Gaza - that is fine.
It is also great if you do care, pray, inform, or protest about Gaza.
On a personal level, I follow any conflict I become aware of rather closely because war interests me from a political science standpoint. I do pray for those in Gaza because I am religious and believe in the power of prayer.
However I don't believe that anyone who doesn't do this are morally bad people. I don't think Americans have an obligation to care about Gaza, and I definitely believe it is complete bullshit to suggest that a person is complicit in murder because they don't care about a war between two other nation states.
The Cowboys didn't make the playoffs so I'm not watching them this year, but for all of those who did, I hope you enjoyed the game.
As I got ready to write about my predictions for the divisional playoffs (which will be undoubtedly outdated by the time you read this...is anyone reading this?) I criticized myself for not blogging about the situation in Gaza. I feel like a hypocrite, another practicioner of kitchen table compassion. How could I turn the turmoil that has killed hundreds and displaced thousands more into a footnote of my day? I spent 6 hours watching football (with teams I don't even like that much) and a few minutes reading a couple articles and have spoken to no one.
And I usually pride myself on being informed.
I've bantered with family and friends and spoken to people much more informed than I, but still feel meaningless.
How could I let this happen?
Why am I completely comfortable watching civilians die and the anger I feel pales in comparison to what I would feel if FOX didn't carry the game today?
And by now I'm mad at you for wanting me to just make my predictions for Sunday, talk about what I thought of Saturday's games and stop being so "deep".
I'm mad that I don't know more about this; that the most I can say to people who have no sympathy for people in Gaza is, "it's a grey issue. Hamas is putting Palestinians at risk but that doesn't leave Israel blameless for the death of civilians."
I'm mad that many Christians and Americans misinterpret our relationship with Israel and don't offer criticism in situations that are desperate for it.
I'm mad at overt and covert forms of anti-Semitism that prevent people from understanding the Israeli perspective at all.
As a Christian I am humiliated because I know that Christ isn't calling us to be sideline disciples. So we can't afford to contribute to the "I am just one person" rhetoric. There has to be more we can do.
Write your representative in Congress, donate to the International Response Fund division of the Red Cross.
A friend of mine recently wrote, "People who don't pray, inform, protest or care about what is happening in Gaza are complicit with the murder of innocent civilians."
I can't be responsible for this.
After a careful view of the electoral map, even giving John McCain every remotely concievable state that is still in play - it is impossible for him to win the election (Basically California, Oregon, and Washington won't be anything but blue).
So let us be the first in celebrating the next president of the United States of America - Barack Obama.
We made history tonight.
The first African-American president in the history of the United States.
We wish president-elect Obama every success in his upcoming term - for the good of all Americans.
God Bless Barack Obama and God Bless America.
Love,
Art Star
Vote November 4th. Unless of course your state has early voting...then vote now!
DISCLAIMER: I did not write the following commentary on the election. It was shared with me and now I am sharing it with the Art Star massive. Indulge...
Once again, just providing info. I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.
If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.' Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, a quintessential an American story.
If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim. Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable. Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian. If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.
If you're husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable. OK, much clearer now.
I'm not impressed.
Did anyone else notice Gov. Palin's screwface anytime she mentioned a point of contention? She put on a mean-mug anytime she mentioned the war, or her "opponent", or the countless references to McCain's torture.
(An aside on McCain: Allow me to begin with the obligatory preface that states my respect for all who have sacrificed in the name of our country. At what point will McCain supports stop pimping his experience in the Hanoi Hilton? Is torture going to be a prerequisite to the highest office of the land? If he wins, will McCain be the 50 Cent of politics? How many politicians are willing to subject themselves, or loved ones, to unfortunate circumstances for a chance at graduating the electoral college. Terrifying.)
I am frightened and cynically amused at the collective demeanor of the GOP in this season. While we face issues of great alarm, they cheer "USA, USA" at a hockey mom as if this was 1980. If their beef with the Dems is change without substance, then the biggest sin of the Republicans is stagnation and perpetual despair.
Palin spoke about McCain's awful experience in Vietnam and recalled an episode where McCain, while being tortured or recooperating from his afflictions I am not quite sure, gave a thumbs up to a fellow soldier. She quickly quipped that this is the kind of President she wanted but I am, admittedly biased of course, hesitant. With so many issues that this country must face, do we need a leader who can grit his teeth and bare it or one who can inspire us to overcome our obstacles?
I can't help but think that the Republicans have fallen into the traditional role of hyperadversity. Since "Change" is interwoven with Obama's movement, I fear McCain is adopting a bit of Bush's "stay the course" rhetoric. For example, (just so you don't write this off as merely liberal ranting) I saw many signs and heard the cheers of "Drill, Baby, Drill" and quickly wrote this off as nonsense. One of my roomates, an undecided, claimed that Alaska has enough natural gas and oil to power America for the next sixty years. And this belief is bringing America its emancipation from foreign dependancy?! What about after the next sixty years? Are we to find the next band-aid to cover our gunshot wound?
I cannot respect Palin's disrespectful view towards community organizing. Yes, yes I understand the power of sarcastic swiping and appreciate wit when it is actually good. But Palin's comments show that she did not attempt to solely make Obama's record illegitimate, but attacked the vocation of many brave Americans who are fighting our forgotten war on poverty. Instead, she made the position of mayor more important, and chockful of experience!, in spite of the numerous towns and cities where civil leadership has failed its people. If Obama's slight towards pistol packing parishioners made him elitist then Palin's stance is the error of a politician who is comfortably aloof.
I looked forward to this speech tonight because I wanted to hear the voice of a candidate whose obscurity made her top news all week. I fear that instead of the woman who claims to shatter the glass ceiling Clinton could only crack, I heard an hour long speech that reminded me of a WWF promo. By the end I expected Obama to run on stage and give McCain the Rock Bottom. I don't ask much of the Republican party but I do wish that they would take this election more seriously. We aren't voting for "So You Think You Can Dance". Put aside political rhetoric and stale tactics and tell me whatcha gonna do!
So cool, here we have two men squaring off for the title of "Leader of the Free World" so you know that there will be no stone left unturned as pundits search for any and all evidence for an uncrossed t or a dotless i. Understandable, yet I am puzzled--and slightly amused--to see so many crying foul at Obama's latest brilliant move. After years of championing public funding and a political career seemingly dedicated to revising the system (read making it fair and balanced), Obama's camp has decided to go with the formula that propelled him to this moment...REAL PUBLIC FINANCING.
What's the dishonor in that? If you had a chance to raise half a billion --if not more--would you take it or would you stick to your "word", take 84 million and allow the GOP 527's to pin the tail on the donkey?
I for one am a fan of Obama's swagger on this one. Somewhere along the line, changing your opinion became bad in American politics. For some reason, we have made it equivalent to being a bandwagon fan in sports. We all saw John Kerry get pummelled for "flip-flopping" and being a "waffler" on the war in Iraq. But when more facts reveal themselves, you are supposed to make the best decision accordingly. This isn't the Knicks we're talking about, there is absolutely no honor in being loyal to the wrong opinion.
So, Obama looking at the facts and realizing that his spending power (though not in all cases, as shown in the shellacking he took in Pennsylvania) played an important part in his rise to the presumptive nominee. No longer having to be selective in his campaigning, Obama can rival the new iPhone and Peyton Manning for commercial spots. This may piss people off (after all, we all hate seeing the same commercial over and over), but we're not talking about a new flavor of Doritos, rather, a new flavor of politics (who's tired of sour ranch?)
David Brooks wrote a cool op-Ed on Obama's idealist/tough Chicagoan style of politics. Of course, no one is expecting or condoning risking your integrity for the election. Yet, in spite of the chorus of voices suggesting this is Obama's inevitable horn-bearing moment, I beg to differ. All these calls of Obama's betrayals are nothing more than people crying foul when they realize he's no spring chicken. Their sentiments about his naivete are quickly giving way to the unavoidable fact that this brother is smart!
Tell the truth though, you mad doggie...you mad!
Allow me to speak a bit about forming a relationship with God--not to be confused with the religious talk that often confuses, if not deters, folks from getting close with the Creator. I wake up every morning and give God praise for a new day because I know that through Him all things are possible. I give thanks to God because I have life, and that He has allowed me to live in abundance. And I must be thankful for this because to assume that this comfortable life I have been afforded is normal for the millions of people living in this country would be nothing short of delusional. I would be falling into the trap that too many before me have fallen into--complacency. I remember reading on the NAACP's website a quote which was to the effect of more leaders having been eliminated not by an assassin's bullet but by a comfortable paycheck. So once again, I woke up this morning and thanked God for all that He has given me and for never giving me more than I could bear.
Yesterday I began reading Chinua Achebe's timeless work, Things Fall Apart. The story focuses on the life of a man named Okonkwo; a fierce wrestler and warrior whose success is driven in equal part by his desire to be productive and an overwhelming fear of failure. He is a man who cannot honor his father through working hard because his father was a man of leisure. Yet, through all his success and achievement, he could never find rest. His success only created a greater desire to succeed. There was no time (EVER!) to rest upon one's laurels or find comfort in one's ability to provide. In the depth of his being, his facade of strength only stood to conceal his weakness. And his attempts to escape weakness, appear to be an exercise in futility.
I say all this because Okonkwo got me thinking. How many brothers do I know who are attempting to do the same thing? Do we all live with the fear of reproducing the sins of our fathers? When we fail are we merely fulfilling the prophecy that our self-doubt produces?
I did not grow up with my father and I remember one particular instance when I was voicing my frustration to one of my aunts. She advised me to never let my anger become hate because I would "become that which I despise." In essence, all that I could not stand about him would become me. It makes me wonder how many people have become the object of their disaffection and how many sentences of failure we implicitly cast on ourselves...daily?
Lastly, this all makes me think of our race relations in the United States. Does it all boil down to our fear of being that which we despise? Are we afraid that our poor treatment of fellow citizens and malicious forms of prejudice have made us more like the injustices that our America was created in spite of?
Watch a little video clip and see if you feel what I'm sayin'...
Riding through Brick City last weekend on my way back from Freedom Schools' Training in Tennessee, an urgent and sobering feeling of inadequacy came over me. Throughout the week in Knoxville and Clinton (no Billary), I learned about the dire situation so many of our nation's children call reality.
In Jersey alone...
- 1 in 8 children are poor.
- In 2005, 244,000 children were uninsured
- A baby is born poor every 33 minutes
- The State of New Jersey spends 2.6 as much per prisoner as it spends on its public school pupils
But two questions hit me as I rode the Freedom Ryde back home...how could this be going on in the wealthiest nation on earth, and how can so many people pretend it does not exist?
I thought about my own life, and how blessed I feel everyday. Should I feel selfish for being comfortable in a world, or dare even, a state where this is going on?
How can I relate to kids who deal with these hardships? Would they see my college education as a silver spoon? Could I reach them even though my "all-nighters" and having 3 papers due in a week would not be considered "real" enough?
And what about my internal struggles...could I overcome the inner voice of doubt that beckons me back into the ivory tower of ignorance?
So as all these questions swirled in my head, and inadequacy became stronger and stronger, I realized that having the option of "dealing" with this problem is a luxury in itself.
If you saw a building burning with no firetrucks in sight, would you call 911?
If you saw an old lady struggling with a large package, would you offer your help?
So why are people so comfortable driving through the hood, seeing all that is going on, and doing nothing about it?
A toast to giving our future a future.
The Boston Celtics find a way not to become the latest and greatest choke artists from New England.
I have been complaining all playoffs long about the disappearance of Jesus Shuttlesworth. Where has he been? I know I'm not the only one who remembers the days when Ray Allen could open the skies and let the trifectas fall. He's shown flashes of brilliance this season so I know it's not a question of age. (And you can't complain about age when you're on the same roster as E.T)
In Game 5, the Celts managed to escape another comeback from the Pistons--though they almost blew a 14 point lead--and now look on the verge of making this commercial seem that much more legit. (Talk about pressure--can the city of Boston manage another team to achieve greatness in all fields except for the one that matters?)
To be frank, the NBA, and consequently America, needs the Celtics to win the Finals. It's the greatest story out of the 4 teams we have left in the playoffs, and it guarantees that the NBA is back as the illest professional sport our great country has to offer. I'm personally pulling for a Celtics-Spurs showdown but it looks like the powers that be will get their way.
Either way, I won't complain. I just hope that L.A's success coupled with Boston's resurgence only means that Stern's dream will come true and the "World's most famous arena" will soon matter again.
